Central Topeka Grocery Oasis Group Expands

Central Topeka Grocery Oasis (CTGO) is excited to announce key additions to its team, including Nadia Arbelo as Executive Director, Robert Riley as Operations Coordinator, and two new board members, Kristin Kreie and Scott Nickel. These appointments represent significant progress toward CTGO’s goal of establishing a nourishing, affordable, and sustainable grocery store for Central Topeka’s underserved neighborhoods.

Nadia Arbelo: A Visionary Executive Leader
As the new Executive Director, Arbelo, a native Topekan, brings an extensive background in business development, community leadership, and international consulting back to her roots. Her career includes roles as Interim Regional Director for the Kansas Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Washburn University and an independent consultant in the U.S. and abroad. Arbelo’s entrepreneurial ventures, educational initiatives, and advocacy for lifelong learning uniquely position her to guide CTGO in administration, fundraising, and strategic planning. A grant from the Topeka Community Foundation funds her position as Executive Director of the Central Topeka Grocery Oasis Group.

Nadia Arbelo: A Visionary Executive Leader
As the new Executive Director, Arbelo, a native Topekan, brings an extensive background in business development, community leadership, and international consulting back to her roots. Her career includes roles as Interim Regional Director for the Kansas Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Washburn University and an independent consultant in the U.S. and abroad. Arbelo’s entrepreneurial ventures, educational initiatives, and advocacy for lifelong learning uniquely position her to guide CTGO in administration, fundraising, and strategic planning. A grant from the Topeka Community Foundation funds her position as Executive Director of the Central Topeka Grocery Oasis Group.

“I am honored to join CTGO and continue the critical work of addressing food insecurity while fostering community outreach and development,” Arbelo said.

Robert Riley: A Local Advocate for Food Security
Riley, a lifelong Topekan, has been named Operations Coordinator. With over a decade of experience in community-focused food initiatives, Riley will be instrumental in providing marketing, communications, organizational, and programming support. He and his partner founded and operate a local food distribution service, demonstrating his deep commitment to addressing local food security. A grant from the Sunflower Foundation funds his position.

Kristin Kreie: Grocery Industry Project Manager
Kristin Kreie brings over 25 years of experience in architecture, construction, and design to the CTGO board, with a unique expertise in grocery architecture and retail environments. Kreie began her career at her hometown grocer and has since worked across the education, healthcare, government, and retail industries. An award-winning interior designer with NCIDQ accreditation and a certified Project Management Professional, she is known for her calm and steady leadership, strategic thinking, and ability to deliver complex projects on time and within budget. Kreie is passionate about leveraging her grocery design and project management background to support CTGO.

“I’m honored to contribute to this meaningful project and help CTGO create a space that fosters community well-being,” she said.

Scott Nickel: Community Culinary Educator
Scott Nickel brings a wealth of culinary and leadership experience to CTGO’s board. He is an instructor in the Culinary Arts program at Washburn Institute of Technology, where he teaches topics ranging from culinary math to food safety and baking.

Nickel previously owned and managed the Brickyard Barn Inn in North Topeka for 17 years and has held leadership roles with the Kansas Bed and Breakfast Association, Kansas NEA, and his church community. A U.S. Navy nuclear power submarine veteran, Nickel also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Kansas, emphasizing math and science. His dedication to food education and community service will be invaluable in advancing CTGO’s mission.

Building Toward a Shared Vision
The appointments of Arbelo, Riley, Kreie, and Nickel come as CTGO launches its capital funding campaign and prepares to break ground on a grocery store serving greater Topeka residents.

“We are thrilled to welcome Nadia Arbelo, Robert Riley, and these outstanding board members to our team,” said James Monson, co-chair of Central Topeka Grocery Oasis. “Their combined expertise, dedication, and community spirit will be instrumental in achieving our mission to create a grocery store that meets the needs of our diverse community.”

About Central Topeka Grocery Oasis
Founded in March 2018, Central Topeka Grocery Oasis (CTGO) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring food security and community cohesion in Central Topeka. The organization aims to replace the grocery store that closed in 2016 by building a new, sustainable facility to serve nine core neighborhoods. With nearly half of the residents in this area being people of color and many facing significant economic and accessibility challenges, CTGO is committed to providing a vital resource for the community and ensuring that all residents have access to healthy, affordable food.